Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8287 joy, and human experience

8287 joy, and human experience

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8283 joy » 8287 joy, and human experience

Joy is experienced naturally in many circumstances of life and in human relationships. It is especially important in the life of God's people, who experience joy in response to all that God has done for them.

Poetic images of joy in creation

Psalm 96:11-13 pp 1 Chronicles 16:31-33 See also Job 39:13; Psalm 65:12-13; Psalm 89:12; Psalm 97:1; Psalm 100:1; Isaiah 35:1-2; Isaiah 49:13

Joy arising from specific circumstances

Joy because of the birth of children

Luke 1:13-15 See also Genesis 30:12-13; Luke 1:58

Joy because of victory and deliverance

Exodus 18:9; 1 Samuel 18:6; Jeremiah 41:13; Zechariah 10:7

Joy because of the behaviour of others

Proverbs 15:30 See also Proverbs 23:24-25; Matthew 14:6-7; Hebrews 13:17

Joy because of God's blessings in everyday life

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

Joy arising from relationships

Philippians 4:1 See also Proverbs 5:18; Songs 1:4; Songs 3:11; Romans 12:15; Romans 15:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12:26; Philippians 1:4-6; Phm 7

God's people find their joy in him

Psalm 4:7; Psalm 16:11; Habakkuk 3:17-18; Philippians 3:1 See also 1 Chronicles 16:10; Psalm 43:4; Philippians 1:23-26 knowing Jesus Christ; Philippians 4:4

God himself gives joy to his people

Nehemiah 12:43; Job 8:21; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Isaiah 9:3; Acts 13:52; Acts 14:15-17

Reasons for God's people to know joy

1 Samuel 2:1 God's deliverance; 2 Chronicles 6:41 God's goodness; Job 22:22-26 repentance; Psalm 19:8 the rightness of God's precepts; Psalm 94:19 God's consolation; Psalm 122:1 being in God's presence; Isaiah 25:9 God's salvation; Isaiah 58:13-14 honouring the Sabbath; Jeremiah 15:16 God's words; Jeremiah 31:12 God's generosity; Luke 1:46-49 recognition by God; Romans 15:13 trusting God